SubaruImpreza2013Overview/subaru/impreza/2013/base/

2013 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Impreza.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Subaru Impreza is a passenger car with a published engine-oil capacity of 4.5 quarts and a recommended viscosity of 0W-20 API. Reliability records for this model year cite 248 owner complaints and 4 recalls, with air bags noted as the leading complaint category. Within the model’s 1990-2026 complaint history, that total sits below the 2002 high of 300 yet far above the 2026 low of one, placing the 2013 model closer to the upper end of reported complaints in the Impreza’s generational record.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2910 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impreza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2012 2.0i Premium 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20122.0i Premium 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-48.00 sec16.20 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Premium 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-48.00 sec16.30 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Premium Sedan 2.0L F-48.60 sec16.60 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.00 sec17.00 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Limited Sedan 2.0L F-49.40 sec17.20 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.40 sec17.10 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Limited Sedan 2.0L F-49.60 sec17.40 sec148 hpAWD
20142.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.90 sec17.40 sec148 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 74-89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.6 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts44 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.11 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance12.0 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket59 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket19.9 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle48.7 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket114.3 ft-lbs / 19.9 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle47.9 ft-lbs
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 167.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-3522 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,200 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 1,200 miEngine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 6,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miFuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 36,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injector (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Subaru Impreza sits at the apex of a clear complaint spike in the recent federal record, with 248 filings — essentially tied with the 242 logged for 2012 and well above the 108, 79, and 75 reported for 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively. The recall arc, by contrast, is trending downward across this generation, falling from 14 in 2011 to 6 in 2012, 4 in the target year, and continuing to 3, 2, and 1 through 2016, which suggests the major formal safety campaigns had largely been executed before 2013 production. Owner concerns within the target year are concentrated in two systems — air bags (58) and engine (54) — with 13 crash-related and 7 fire-related complaints also on file, though the data does not specify root causes for any of these categories. Technical Service Bulletins remain elevated at 499 for 2013, only marginally below the 512 peak in 2012, indicating continued service complexity even as recall activity cools. For a used-buyer, the takeaway is mixed: 2013 is the most complaint-laden year of the 2012–2016 generation, so a pre-purchase inspection focused on the air bag and engine systems, combined with a recall verification, is well worth the cost before committing.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
499
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
248
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 248 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags58
Engine54
Electrical System15
Steering13
Power Train13
Unknown Or Other10
Service Brakes9
Vehicle Speed Control7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 28/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

16V738000Electrical SystemReported 13/10/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 499 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Impreza take?

4.5 qt of SYNTHETIC 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.